Editorial Reviews

Godzilla is back, and this time he's not alone! While scouting the seas for schools of fish, young pilots Tsukioka and Kobayashi encounter Godzilla and the spiny monster Anguirus in heated battle on a small Japanese island. The two beasts tumble into the ocean and soon resurface in Osaka, laying waste to the city in a fight to the death. As the threat of destruction mounts, the two heroes muster their courage for the final showdown with Godzilla. Classic Media presents GODZILLA RAIDS AGAIN (1955), the first of many Godzilla sequels, in the original Japanese-language version with English subtitles. Also included is the heavily re-edited American version, in which Godzilla was re-named "Gigantis," and featuring the voice of STAR TREK's George Takei!

Special Features

Includes Japanese and English dubbed versions of the film Audio Commentary Poster Slide Show Art of Suit Acting featurette

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

This film made in 1955 is the very first sequel made to the original "Gojira" aka "Godzilla, King of the Monsters" in its US release. The film was rushed into production in order to capitalize on the popularity of the first film. In the US it was apparently released by a different film company than the first film, so the title was changed such that the word "Godzilla" didn't even appear in it! The US theatrical release title was "Gigantis the Fire Monster." The film has been released in the US under other titles over the years, such as "The Return of Godzilla" and as "Godzilla Raids Again" when it was on VHS tape. The original Japanese title was apparently, "Gojira no gyakushû" or "Gojira Strikes Again" in English.

I am a huge Godzilla fan and have been since I was a small child, and in all the years I watched these films on TV, in the theater, and on home video, I've never seen this film broadcast on television and I apparently missed it when it was available on VHS. I didn't even know it existed until I saw it listed in Michael Weldon's Psychotronic Film Guide years ago. It seems that the fact that this film was not released in the US by the same company that released the original film has doomed this one to obscurity for an extremely long time. However, this situation is now corrected with the release of the film to DVD.

FILM SYNOPSIS, PRODUCTION TRIVIA, COMMENTS

As was stated in the original Gojira, it does turn out that there are more of these monstrous creatures in the sea than just the one Godzilla that was destroyed at the end of the first film. This film is more of a typical 1950s "monster smash 'em up" picture than the original film and less of a statement on nuclear horror. This sets the tone for many Godzilla pictures to come.Read more ›

The second Godzilla movie is a transitional entry in the series. Serious, but not as grim as "Godzilla, King of the Monsters," we see the first traces of the camp humor that became a trademark of Japanese sci-fi. It is one of the few movies of the series that does a "hand-off" from the previous flick. Dedicated fans will recognize Dr. Yamane from the first Godzilla film. In addition, Godzilla (also known as "Gigantis") meets Angilus, the first of many bizarre enemies. In somber B/W photography, the story of dueling monsters on the loose unfolds. This time it's Osaka and not Tokyo, threatened with fiery destruction. As usual, the monsters invade populous areas, destroy buildings, and threaten civilization. As usual, conventional military hardware has no effect. The English-dubbed dialogue is occasionally hilarious. The special effects and other production values are typical of Japanese sci-fi. This movie, virtually overlooked through the years, initially appeared in the USA as "Gigantis the Fire Monster." It played on a double feature program back in 1959/1960 with "Teenagers From Outer Space" (reviewed elsewhere in ...). Godzilla movies are an acquired taste that delight fans and repulse "normal" viewers. For aging baby-boomers, and other serious collectors of low-budget sci-fi, this movie is a recommended treat. :-)

This is the second Godzilla movie, and this is the first time on DVD for the american version and the first time ever in the US for the uncut, unedied Japanese version. Both are included on this new DVD. The Japanese version is superior, but the dubbed american version is entertaining also, though its just a little bit confusing.

Here is a list of all the Godzilla films. The titles are the current, or most recent, US home video/DVD. TWO TITLES ARE GIVEN, WHER THE DVD INCLUDES BOTH JAPANESE AND US VERSIONS.

"Godzilla Raids Again" is the 2nd film in the Godzilla series. It is the last black and white film in the series as well as the last "stand-alone" Godzilla film to air until "Godzilla 1985". In many ways, "Godzilla Raids Again" is the ideological sequel to "Godzilla, King of the Monsters". The attitude of this film is different, far more pragmatic and martial than "Godzilla". Unlike the first film, the military stays in the fight for the entire film and ultimately prevails. In fact a better title for this film might be "Godzilla : Japan strikes back". The reaction to Godzilla in "Godzilla Raids Again" is one of both resignation and determination. Resignation that Godzilla has come back to menace Japan again. Determination to not let Godzilla destroy the country of Japan. Like "Godzilla", "Godzilla Raids Again" develops a substantial sub-plot following the exploits of Kobayashi and Tsukioka, two pilots for a fishing company. These two develop an onscreen chemistry that shines through the subtitles. You really get to root for these guys throughout the film. And "Godzilla Raids Again" lets you do so without taking away the focus from the monsters. It is in this film that Godzilla meets his first kaiju foe, a trend that would continue through 27 of Godzilla's next 29 films. "Godzilla Raids Again" has a smaller scale to it. The world is not so much threatened as is Osaka and Kobayashi and Tsukioka. It is this perception of Godzilla as a force that can be combated and conquered, which is much different than the feeling from "Godzilla". The story has the same thoughtfulness and pacing as "Godzilla". The military sequences are realistic and well done.Read more ›